From tonysounds@yahoo.com Thu Nov 23 21:48:00 2006
Subject:Re: Even UPS can't Kill my AMA

One of the great tools that Yahoo has provided for these email/posts is called the SUBJECT line. I myself find myself leaning on this tool quite a bit: if I see a subject description that pertains to something I've either no interest in, or feel that has run its course, I simply delete it. It saves me SO much time, its become invaluable to me.

You want to increase the signal to noise ratio here? Then add something! These "long-time lurkers/first time callers" who are basically using aliases to continue their petty little agenda/vendetta are about as transparent as Saran wrap. They have their tongues tied on one forum, and then like the nomadic parasites they are, move on to the next group to continue their pointless yet redundant mantras on the next.

I like hearing people's experience, good and bad, with the gear they use and the service surrounding it. I've spoken up many times about Speakeasy (yeah, I hear you all groaning out there), but I've also chirped up about Sweetwater's service (very very good), as well as other gear I'm enthused about and having good luck with, NOT just Speakeasy gear.

But you know what? Nobody bitchslapped me when I raved about the Leslie 2101s I was using, or the Voce V5 I was using, or the XK3 I was psyched about. Nobdy ripped on me when I instigated talk of the Muse Receptor, a great tool for a computer idiot like me which enabled me to use B4 and some great synth programs I couldn't have had access to otherwise.

But God (pick one) for bid I or someone else mentions Speakeasy....then the bullshit starts all over again. It makes you wonder who the real pimp/whores are; personally, I know who they are, and the agenda the propogate. I refuse to be led by the noose or the nose by anyone, Hammond Suzuki, Speakeasy, Nord, Muse Research, Yorkville or anyone else. If something works, and works well, I'll share it; if a company's service stands out, I'll share that too. If a company's products perform poorly, or have a service that performs poorly, I'll shout about that as well: this kind of info is invaluable to all of us when spending our hard-earned dollars. I appreciate that info from others as well.

For the rest....if you don't want that info, or view it as spamming, do us all a favor: read the subject line and decide whether to go further. And do YOUR part to increase to the signal to noise ratio.

Happy Thanksgiving.
T

Matt Cleland wrote:
Here's an interesting parallel --

Yesterday, I received my mass-production built CME UF8 MIDI Controller
from Sweetwater Music and immediately noticed that the box that FedEx
held for me at their station was damaged. There were several
punctures and rips on the outside of the box.

After getting it home and manhandling the casket-sized box into my
house, I began the somewhat lengthy process of opening the packaging.
Since Sweetwater normally double boxes everything, I wasn't too
concerned.

Upon opening the outer corrugated board box, I saw that the actual
instrument was indeed wrapped in yet another box, completely sealed
and undamaged. There was plenty of ~3" thick styrofoam blocks
strategically placed to properly support and protect the inner
package.

I proceeded to open the inner box which was well sealed with lots of
tape. When I got this box open, I was happy to find at least 4
styrofoam "sleeves" surrounding the keyboard, completely supporting it
from end to end and keeping it safe in transit. Not only that, but
the keyboard was wrapped in plastic!

With some help from my wife, I was able to extract the instrument from
it's packaging and set it up -- it works perfectly, with not a scratch
on it. Also, I didn't have to open it up and re-assemble the internal
components.

My entire research, purchasing, shipping and receiving experience with
Tim Harrington from Sweetwater Music was flawless -- he gave me a good
price, very inexpensive shipping by FedEx, it was delivered on time
and in perfect condition.

What is my point here?

My point is that I purchased a product that is arguably much harder to
package, handle and ship than the Speakeasy AMA. This thing weighs 60
pounds and about as long as a child's surfboard. I bought it from a
company that provides excellent pricing and service. This instrument
was made in China, and somehow survived the trip from China to Indiana
and then back to me in St. Louis undamaged.

I didn't feel the need to get on this list and gush about how Tim
personally applied the packing tape to my box or how he was going to
replace it if it arrived broken. I would fully expect that from any
place I purchased from, without having to think twice.

I think the comment about American engineering and workmanship was
unnecessary. There are plenty of products that are designed,
manufactured and shipped from overseas which are far and away better
than comparable products made here in the USA.

I'm sorry if I sound bitter, but I'm in the same camp with Ramon and
some of the others. I vote for a separate mailing list for Speakeasy
raving fans so we can increase the signal to noise ratio around here.

My personal disclaimer: I don't work for Sweetwater, Hammond, CME,
Yamaha, UPS or FedEx. I'm an American. I own a XK-3 which I purchased
from Bill Brown @ BB Organ. I've never purchased a Speakeasy product
although I'm sure I would like it if I ever did.